Casualties – Ferry COSSYRA on fire after leaving Lampedusa – 29.09.2023

On Friday 29th September, 2023 around 2340 hrs a fire broke out in the engine room on the 1980 built ITA flag and owned ferry COSSYRA, off Linosa Island whilst sailing from Lampedusa to Porto Empedocle, with 177 souls on board, including 150 passengers (83 of them were migrants) and 27 crew members. After the […]

Scuttling Operation – COMINOLAND and KARWELA – 12.08.2006

On Saturday 12th August 2006, 2  short sea ferryboats COMINOLAND and KARWELA were towed from Cassar Ship Repair Yard, Marsa to Ras il-Hobz, Gozo that is a submerged pinnacle also known as the Middle Finger, to be scuttled by the Gozo Tourism Association. The Pinnacle  is one of the most breathtaking dives in Gozo. The top of this pinnacle […]

Malta Naval Visits – RFA ARGUS A 135 – 23-25.11.2022

On Wednesday 23rd November, 2022 the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Role 3 Casualty Treatment/Aviation Training Ship RFA ARGUS A 135 passed Grand Harbour, Malta breakwaters at 1026 hrs after embarking pilot at Marsaxlokk Harbour Pilot Station 2 Bravo due to heavy swell off Grand Harbour (OGH) during her maiden call. She was originally built as […]

AFM – Arrival of P 71 , largest Patrol Vessel for Malta – 07.11.2022

On Monday 7th November, 2022 at 0751 hrs the 74.8 metres Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) P 71 as C 890 entered Grand Harbour, Malta during her delivery voyage coming from Chioggia, Italy. She berthed port side alongside at Ras Hanzir Dolphins (RHD). With a full load displacement of over 2,000 tonnes, 74.8 metres as length […]

Conservation Ships – RAINBOW WARRIOR (III) at Malta – April 2022

On Friday 8th April, 2022 the 2011 built sailing ship RAINBOW WARRIOR (III) passed breakwaters at 1319 hrs coming from Heraklion Greece. Rainbow Warrior (III) is owned by the environmental activist group Greenpeace International. She’s the first purpose built ship since here predecessors RAINBOW WARRIOR (I) and RAINBOW WARRIOR (II) were converted ships. A $32m (€23m) […]

AFM – Live GUNEX – October 2020

Between Monday 5th and Wednesday 7th October with Thursday 8th and Friday 9th October as reserved dates the Maritime Squadron conducted a live gunnery firing practice involving maritime assets from Pembroke Ranges (LMD-1). The Ports & Yachting Directorate issued Notice to Mariners – NtM 46 dated 23rd September, 2020 On Monday 5th October the following […]

Malta Naval Visits – ITS SPICA P 403 – 14-16.02.2020

The 1991 commissioned offshore patrol vessel of the Italian Navy (Marina Militare Italiana) ITS SPICA P 403 paid a diplomatic visit to Malta during February 2020 with Commanding Officer LT (N) Peppino Sambiagio. She entered Valletta on Friday 14th February, 2020 at 0726 hrs assisted by 2 tugs LIENI and ST. ANGELO and berthed Port […]